Premier League

Fitness updates and return dates ahead of March international break

Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal remain in the hunt for two major trophies approaching the end of the 2023/24 season.

The Gunners sit at the top of the Premier League table on goal difference and made it through to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will take on Bayern Munich, after edging past Porto on penalties in the last 16.

The injury situation is pretty positive for Mikel Arteta, too. Only a couple of first-team stars have significant knocks for the club to monitor during the March international break.

Here are the latest injury updates at Arsenal.

What injury does Gabriel Martinelli have?

Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli has a foot cut / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

There were fears of a serious injury to Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli when he was hauled off with a foot cut just over an hour into Arsenal‘s 6-0 victory over Sheffield United earlier this month.

“[Saka] was feeling a bit sick and as well we have Fabio [Vieira] who we have to give minutes. It was great opportunity [for us] and then we had a little issue with Gabi Martinelli as well, he had a slight cut on his foot and we have to wait and see how he is,” Arteta said after the win.

Martinelli was then spotted on crutches in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 2-1 success over Brentford earlier this month, though that measure it thought to have been precautionary to ensure the cut to his foot heals.

Speaking ahead of the Gunners’ ultimately successful Champions League last-16 second leg against Porto, Arteta said: “Not many updates – we still have 24 hours and we’re trying to have everybody fit and available. He [Tomiyasu] did the first part, Gabi didn’t, but that’s what we’re hoping for [Tomi to be involved].”

Martinelli withdrew from the Brazil squad for their March internationals against England and Spain in Europe, with other Selecao stars like Ederson and Marquinhos also dropping out after suffering knocks.

When could Gabriel Martinelli return from injury?

Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli scored Arsenal’s winner against Man City in October / Ryan Pierse/GettyImages

There is hope Martinelli will recover from his foot cut in time to feature in Arsenal’s huge Premier League title clash with Manchester City on Sunday 31 March once the international break is over.

The former Ituano star scored the decisive goal when the two sides met at the Emirates Stadium back in October, netting in the 86th minute as Arteta earned just his second league win against former colleague Pep Guardiola.

The 22-year-old has featured in 25 Premier League matches so far…

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